Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Surprise, AZ: $19.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Surprise, AZ runs $19.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,349 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Surprise's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,815 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Surprise, Arizona, the anticipated hourly rate for emergency medical technicians is projected at $19.88 in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national average of $22.62, placing Surprise's EMT compensation approximately 12.13% below the national median. For part-time workers or those engaged in per-diem roles, where schedules often reflect three days of work each week, this rate impacts net earnings significantly. Working alongside paramedics in settings such as fire engine medical bays, hospital emergency departments, or event venue medical tents could yield variable pay, with hourly earnings ranging from $15.43 for entry-level positions to as high as $28.55 for experienced professionals. Such fluctuations reflect the local demand for emergency medical services and underscore the potential financial trajectories EMTs can expect within various operational contexts in Surprise.
About the Surprise Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.43 | $123.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.02 | $136.13 |
| Median (P50) | $19.88 | $159.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.74 | $181.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.55 | $228.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Surprise
Based on $19.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.88/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Surprise, AZ can expect to earn approximately $41,358 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,860. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Surprise.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Surprise
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $795.34 | $3,446 | $41,358 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $477.21 | $2,068 | $24,815 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $318.14 | $1,379 | $16,543 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Surprise) | $19.88 |
| Paramedic (National Avg) | $27.18 |
| Nursing Assistant (National Avg) | $18.62 |
| Firefighter (National Avg) | $26.89 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.25 |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Surprise, AZ earn a median of $41,349 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.13% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 0.20% below the Arizona state average of $41,432.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.88/hr = $24,815/year (purchasing power: $25,193).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,358/year (purchasing power: $41,988).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$14.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.88/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Surprise (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Surprise grew 25.4% from $14.99/hr (2021) to $18.79/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.04/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem emergency medical technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Surprise metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.82% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Emergency Medical Technician in Surprise
When considering the earning potential for part-time EMTs in Arizona, working a standard 24-hour week amounts to a considerably lower annual income compared to full-time employees. It's crucial to recognize that per-diem emergency medical technician pay in Surprise can vary widely. Those engaged with private companies may bill between $20 and $32 per hour, while oil-field medics on 14/14 rotations frequently command rates between $40 and $70, depending on the job's remoteness. Emergency medical technicians employed in municipal fire departments often benefit from union-negotiated contracts that provide higher wages than their counterparts in private ambulance services. Not only do potential EMTs need to weigh hourly pay against available benefits, such as health insurance, but they should also strategize their negotiations. Whether they are part-time workers or agency staff, understanding the local market and being aware of employer competition can facilitate better pay arrangements within the diverse sectors present in Surprise, AZ.
More salary data for Surprise, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Aisha Patel, EMT-P
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as an emergency medical technician. She specializes in pre-hospital care and triage. Aisha works primarily in urban emergency services.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for emergency medical technicians in Surprise. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Surprise is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.82%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for emergency medical technicians (SOC 29-2042).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, EMT-P, a licensed emergency medical technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov